Carbonating apparatus



J. A. BOPPRE CARBONATING APPARATUS Filed May '4, 1922 s sheets-sneer l Oct. i4. 1924- J. A. BOPPRE CARBONATING APPARATUS 3 sheets-sheen 5 Filed May 4, 1922 M 0 -YS.

Patented Get. 14, 1924,n

UNITED STATES JOSEPH A. BOPPRE, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

CARBONATING APPARATUS.

Application filed May 4, 1922.

To all 107mm t may concern.'

Be it known that 1, JOSEPH A. Borrnn, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Decatur', in the county of Macon and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Carbonating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This inve-ntion has reference to carbonating apparatus .in which carbonio acid gas Linder pressure is combined with water or other liquid, to produce a carbonated beverage.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a new and improved controller for machines of this character which is constructed to be removably supported wholly Awithin the mixing chamber and as a unit of mechanism which includes a float, a weighted piston arranged to have connection with a switch controlling the motor for actuating the gas and water pumps, and valve mechanism controlling the ingress and egress of gas to and from the piston cylinder or casing, certain elements of which are actuated by the rise and fall of the float which is controlled by the height of water in Ithe mixing chamber.

The invention comprehends a unit of mechanism such `as above referred to which is not only adapted to be supported wholly within the mixing chamber of a carbonating apparatus, in which case the controller is operated by the gas within the mixing chamber, but said mechanism is arranged to be supported wholly within a casing separate from but adapted practically to all makes of carbonating apparatus, in which case the controller is operated from lthe gas within the mixing chamber of the apparatus.

The unit of mechanism when employed within the mixing chamber of the apparatus is preferably associated with means for spraying water through the gas, and when employed in connection with a casing separate from the apparatus, the mixing chamber of the latter may be provided with water and gas agitating means, if desired.

Further aims, objects, and advantages of my invention will become apparente-as it is better understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, while Serial No. 558,535.

its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings Figure l is a vertical sectional view of the mixing chamber of a preferred form of carbonating apparatus with my improved controller removably suspended therein, the view also showing in a diagrammatic way the gas and walter pumps, the piping connected the-reto, also the motor and switch. control means for the motor;

Figure2 is a view somewhat similar to Figure l1, except that .the controller is shown wholly supported within a casing separate from the apparatus but connected to receive the gas therefrom;

Figure 8 shows in detail the piston, piston casing or cylinder and valve mechanism of the controller, the valves controlled by the float being in open position;

Figure al is a view somewhat similar to Figure 3 except the piston is omitted, fthe ilo-at is partly shown and the valves controlled by the float are shown in closed position, and

Figure 5 is a plan looking upward, as the same would appear if taken on the line 5 5 Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the figures.

In a general way there is little or no difference in the construction of the apparatus shown in Figures l` and 2, except that in Figure 1 the controller mechanism is suspended wholly within the mixing chamber, while in Figure 2 such controller mechanism is suspended wholly within a casing separate from the main apparatus, therefore the designation of similar parts will be by similar characters of reference. ln Figure l there is represented a carbonated apparatus furnished complete with my improved controller, while` in Figure 2 there is represented a controller embodying my invention in the form of an attachment to he coupled to practically all makes of carbonators. In the form in which the controller is shown in Figure 1, it is also exhibited as an attachment for carbonators of the type shown.

r1`he carbonating vessel proper is designated 1 enclosing a mixing chamber 2 for the carbonic acid gasand water. 3 and l Csi ot pumpl ch amber 2, in

respectively, designate the gas and water pumps, preterably diagraminatically shown in dotted lines. The pumps are operatively connected in any well known manner, with pump actuating means including a shat connected byl gearing 6 and 7 with a suitable motor 3 controlled by a switch 9 provided with the switch lever 10. constructed ot separable parts 11 and 12 detachably connected at 13 in a suitable manner and for purposes to be explained. Gas issupplied in the usual manner and through the action 3 and a: pipe 14.- connecting the pump with the vessel 1 viol-pumped into the chamber 2, also ,taking the gas from. the a mamrer to be explained, and pumping it back again. into said mixing chamber. ln- Figure 1 the pump 3 is connected to. the domefoi the vessel 1 through a pipe "15, whereas this pipe 15 in. Figure: 2 is connected wLi-tlr theA head. endv of a. casing 16 which encloses. and sustains' the. controller to be described.v Both in Figures` `1 and 2' a pipe 17 coupled to the gas inlet pipe 14 discharges; the gas forced into' 4the vessel 1 preteiabljl in the lower end' thereof, as shown'.- The water pump 4 supplies water to the base oi the vessel 1 through: a pipek 18 connected with said pump and coupled to said-vessel. ln- Figure' 1 the water intake pipe 19 within the vessel leads to the top of the mixing chamber 2; and is connected to a preferably circular ring 2O provided with jets 21 whereby the water entering the mixing chamber 2 is sprayed or introduced in the orin ofV a shower; This arrangement of water intake is preferable due to the cast, as will be explained, that the controller is suspended within the chamber' 2, 'from the dome or head of the vessel 1. ln Fig-ure 2y the intake pipe 19 discharges the water in the lower end of the vessel, because in this form of apparatus the controller is carried within the separate casing 16 and an agitator 222l suitably connected with the pump actuating means is rotatably arranged within the mixing chamber 2.

l havendescribed in. a general way the mixing chamber of the carbonating apparatus, the gas and water pumps, supply pipes, the; motor andl pump actuating means, but I am not concerned with the particular make of apparatus or its detailed construction, as these are well known in the art and well understood by` tlfioseskilled in the art of carbonators. My invention lies in the controller and is applicable in two ways, as I shall explain,l to carbonators.

The control unit as an attachment includes a head piece 22 totwhich is detachably connected and' from which is suspended av cylinder 23:. The preferred connection between head 22 and cylinder 23` is through a iianged ring 24. the latter being threaded internally and thel cylinder SGreWed thm-T@- into, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The construction of the head is such that a chamber 25 is provided between the ring and head, as shown. In Figure 1 the head and ring are'. detachably connected by bolts 26 to the dome o1 the vessel 1 with the cylinder 23 suspended in. the mixing chamber 2 of the vessel through an opening 27 in the dome,

lpacking rings 28 being inserted between the vessel 1 and the ring 24 and between the latter and the head 22. By removing the bolts 26' the head 22 with the ring 24 and cylinder 23 may lifted` oil and out of the vessel. ln Figure 2 the toregoing described structure is identical with Figure 1, except that the upper end of the casing or cylinder 13 ispreterablyilanged outwardly, as vat 2.9, and the parte' bolted. thereto by means. of! the bolts 26. ln this instance the packing .rings 28 vare inserted between the flange 29 and the ring 24- and. between the latter and the head 22. To the head 22 is coupled the pipe 15 whereby communication is formed between the chamber 25 and the gas pump-l 3, as shown. The cylinder 23" is oit less diam-eter" than the opening. 27 inthe ressel 1 Figure 1, and ot lessv diameterY than the cas-ing or cylinder 16- Figure 2^. This allows for a pipe 30 alongside the cylinder 23, which at its upper end iscoupled tothe ring 24 in which isl anv opening orxduct 3.1

which provi-des` for communication between the pipe 30 and the chamber 25 between the head 22 and: thel ring` 24. Thepipe 30fas well as the cylinder 23lra1ve connection with. a base 32, in a manner I shall explain. rlhisbase 32 is- {langed Vand internally threaded' that the lower end of the cylinder 23 may be screwed thereinto, ybest seen in Figures 3 `and 4; Sai-d baset32 is also' provid-ed with val-ve controlled openings 33',

and 35;. The opening 331 is in communication with the lower end of Vthe pipe 30 and the openings and 35 communicate' with the lower end of the' cylinder 23'. Thevalfves tor theV openings 33 and 34V are substantiatly thel same and include stems 36v and movable in the openings 33 and 34andr are vpretefr-ablyy provided lwith bally memiiers 33 adapted' to be seated against the lower enrds of the openings- 33 and 34, seel Figure 4,.to closel these openings against the ingress and egress ot gas. The' opening is prelierably formed in; a plug 39 threaded uitoopening in the base 32'an'd said phrg; is provided at the upper en'dV of the opening 35 with a seat arranged to be closed by they ball ber 40 which rises and' tails' and is lprevented from becoming dislodged by means' of the obstruction or stop 4-1.

Reciprocally arranged in: the cylinderv 23 is a weightedpiston 42?, thezsame being connected with a stem 43 extending upand out through the't'op the cylinder 23 and slidablef through. the head 272; and a' 4packing 435* secured therein in such a manner as to prevent leakage therethrough or therearound. The lower end of the weighted piston cushions on the cushion 44 when it drops to the. lower end of the cylinder 23 and rests on the base 32.

The loat 45 which is preferably located axially below the cylinder 23 and which is arranged to actuate the valves 38 controlling the openings 33 and 34 in the base 32 is sustained in a slightly different manner in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 1 it preferably moves up and down on a frame 46 suspended or depending from the base 32, whereas, in Figure 2 this frame is not needed, as the casing 16 serves as the guide. Extending .approximately axially through the float is a rod 47. In Figure 1 the lower portion of this rodis reciprocal through the base of the frame 46, whereas, in Figure 2 it is reciprocal ina coupling 48 through which water enters the casing 16; said coupling being connected by a pipe 49 with the vessel 1. Gas enters the casing 16 at or near its top through a pipe 50 coupled to the vessel 1 and to said casing, see Figure 2.

The opening through the iioat 45 for the rod 47 is of a diameter to allow side play oi this rod to give freedom in the actuation of the means for operating the valves 38. The valve operating means between the valve 38 and the iioat is best shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 where the open and closed positions of said valves are very clearly seen. Depending from the underside of the base 32 is an extension 51 to which are pivoted and extend in opposite directions lever arms 52 and 53, the latter having connectionv with the stems 36 and 37 of the valves 38 for moving said valves as the lever arm 53 is oscillated up and down. The down movement of arm 53 is determined by its engagement with a lug or rest 54 on the arm 52, see Figure 3. The outer ends of the two arms 52 and 53 are connected by the spring 55 which acts to snap the two said arms 52 and 53 into valve open and closed positions as the float 45 is raised and lowered by the rise and fall of the water in the mixing chamber 2.

To the upper end oi the rod 47 is pivotally connected a link 56 which, at its opposite end is pivotally connected to an arm 57 depending from the base 32, and said link has a stop member 58. Pivotally connected tothe link 56 mediate its ends is a link 59 which, at its other end is pivotally connected to the lever arm 52 mediate its ends, the latter arm, adapted as shown in Figure 3 to engage the stop member 58 on the link 56. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 the valve stem 37 is positively actuated by the lever arm 53 whereas, a yielding connection is provided between the lever arm 53 and the Stem 36, in the form of a spring 59 carried 0n said stem between the valve member 38 and said arm 53. As one end of the link 56 is fixed, except :tor its pivotal connection with the arm 57, as said link is swung on its pivot with the arm there must be slight lateral movement of the rod 47 in the iioat 45.

In Figure 1 the float 45 has been raised by the inflow of water pumped into the mix ing chamber 2 which actuates the links 56 and 59 to operate the lever arms 52 and 53 to close the valves 38. In Figure 2 the carbonated water having been withdrawn from the apparatus permitting the iioat to lower in the casing 16 the links 56 and 59 are actuated to operate the lever arms 52 and 53 l'o Open the valves 38. The lever arms 52 and 53 and spring 55 provide a substantial toggle-lever construction which requires slight movement before the spring 55 acts to snap the levers into open or closed po sition depending on the position of the float 4 In the operation of the controller attachment' the motor 8 is shut off through the oscillation of the lever arm 10 when the weighted piston 42 is raised to the position shown in Figure 1.` Said lever arm is shown. operatively connected in a suitable manner to the rod or stem 43, so that when said rod is raised with the weighted piston 42 the motor is shut 0E, and turned on when the rod 43 is lowered with the weighted piston, see Figure 2. In each instance, Figure 1 or Figure 2 by uncoupling the arms 11 and 12 at 13, removing the bolts 26 and uncoupling the pipe 15 from the head 22 of the controller attachment, the entire attachment including the cylinder 23, piston 42, float 45 and valve actuating mechanism may be removed from the vessel 1 or the casing 16, and as easily replaced.

Assuming the parts of the controller to be in the posit-ion shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 and the pumps in operation the gas will enter the lower end ot the cylinder through the opening 34 in the base and in the chamber 25 at the upper end of said cylinder through the opening 33 in the base, pipe 30 and opening 31 in the ring 24, while at the same time the mixing chamber is being iilled with water which will float the float 45 to approximately the predetermined position, shown in Figure 1.

During this pumping operation it will be noted that the gas pressure is on both ends of the weighted piston. Also it will be noted that the pumpl 3 will take the gas from the cylinder above. the weighted piston through the. pipe 15 and pump it back aga-in through the pipe 14 into the mixing chamber his operation continuing until the predetermined amo-unt of water raises the` float 45 into the position shown in Figures 1 and 4 which will close the valves 38. This operapum-ps it into the mixing chamber, where the pressure isnow exerted on the ball val-ve' L10, unseat-ing it and applies thepressure diirectly on the vweightsd piston to raise it into the position shown in; Fi'guife l which movement operates the switchl lever 10 tl'irough the connection provided therebee tween andthe rod 453 to# shut ofi' the' motor 8, stopping thel pumps 3 and l, as will be understood'. As soon as enough water' has been used to lower the li'oat 455 to the posi.'- tions Vshown in Figures 2 and 3', the vallves 33 are opened admitting pressure:` to the top of the piston l2 and. its escape from bello-w the piston, which eqnalizes: the pressure. on: both sides: ci the pistonv when it will di p2 by gravity and in so doing will, throng if they connection oli the' rod. l3- with: thel switch lever l0 actuate the latter to again start the motor 8' and .pumps 3 and 1l.

VVhile l have. shown and described preier-red embodiments ol my invention, it will be obvious that various changes in minor mechanicaldetailsy may be resorted to without departing trom vthe spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificingl any of the ma.- terial' advantages thereof.

1. An attachment for av carbonating ap'- paratus, comprising" a supporti-ng head aryl ranged' for securement to 'a container, a cylinder suspended from. said head and arranged to; be` enclosed wholly within such a container, a piston reciprocally arranged in said cylinder, a float' located below the cyliinder, valve mechanism associated with the lower end o'l'` the cylinder, and valve actuating mechanism operatively connected with said float. v

2. An 'attachment for a cairloonatingv apparatus, comprising a supporting head aaranged' orsecurement to` a container, a. cyliinder suspended from said' head and arranged' to be enclosed wholly with-in rsuch a container, a. piston` reciprocally arranged in said cylinder, a switch actuating member connected with said piston and operating through said head, a float located below the cylinder, valve mechanism associated with the lower end 'ol the cylinder, and valve actuating mechanism operatively connected with said float.

3. An attachment forI a. carbonating ap parat-us, comprising a supporting head, a cylinder suspended iro-m said head, a piston recip'rocally arranged in said cylinder, valve controlled openings comin-imicating with the lower end of the cylinder, a valve controlled duct communicating with the upper end of the cylinder, a float located below the cylinder, valve actuating mechnarines anism' operatively connected with said Heat and' certain of said valves controlling an opening tothe lower end of the. cylinder and one of said valves controlling the duet toi the top' of the cylinder.

4. An attachment for a carbonating apparatus, comprising a supporting head, a cylinder suspended Jtrom said head, a piston recprocally arranged in said cylinder, a switch actuating member connected with said `piston and operating; thro-ugh said head, valve controlled lopenings commimieating with the lower end oli the' cylinder, a valve controlled' duct commmiica-ting with the upperen-d ol the cylinder', a lloat located below the cylinder, and valve actuating mechanism operatively connected with said' float and certain of? said valves controlling an` opening te the` lower end ott the cylinder and' one of ysaid tothe topi.' of' the cy lilnder'.

A5. Asn' attachment for a carbo-netting ap` paratus'-, compris-ing a supporting head, a cylinder suspended from and detachably connected with said head, ai base' for said cylinder" having openings: therethrough certain oli which communicate with the cylinder, a pipe in communication with the upper end ot the cylinderand one olf the openings in said base, a piston reciprocally arranged' in said' cylinder, a; valve for controlling one of said openings in the base` -trom the cyl-inder side, valves for controlling the other openings in the base tromthe underside, a float located' below the cylinder, and valve actuating mechanism` operatively connected with said lloat and with said last mentioned valves.

6. An attachment lioi" a carbonating apparatus, comprising a'. supporting head,- a cylinder suspended froml and detaehably connected with sa-id head', a' base lor said cylinder having openings vtherethrough certain of which communicate with the cylinder, a pipe in communication with the upper end ofV the cylinder and one of the openings in said base, a piston reciprocally arranged in? said cylinder, a switchI actuating' member connectedy with said piston and operating through said head, a valve for controlli-ng one of said openingsin the base from the cylinder side,- valves torv control-4 ling the other openings in the base' from the underside, ai float located below the cylinder, Aand" valve actu-ating mechanism operatively co'nnected' with said float and with said l'ast mentioned valves.

7. An attachment `for carbolnatmg apparatus, comprising al supporting' head, a

cylinder suspended fromV said head, a p`is`-k ton reciprocall-y arranged in said cylinder, a` switch actuating member vconnected with said piston and operatingthrough said head, a float' located below the cylinder, valvev mechanism associated with the lower end lv'es controlling the duct of the cylinder, a rod associated with the float, and valve actuating mechanism connecting said rod and valve mechanism including a pair of lever arms, springs connecting the same and link connections between one of said arms and said float rod.

8. An attachment for a carbonating apparatus, comprising a supporting head, a ring associated therewith, said head provided w-ith means for coupling a gas pipe thereto, a cylinder detachably connected to and suspended from said ring, a b-ase for said cylinder provided with openings therein, certain of which communicate with the cylinder, a pipe connected with said head and in communication with an opening therein and with the cylinder through said ring, a piston reciprocally arranged in said cylinder, a switch actuating member connected with said piston and operating through said head, valve means associated with the openings in said base, a float located below the base, and valve actuating mechanism connected with said float and with certain of said valve means.

9. yIn a carbonating apparatus, in combination, a. container, means for introducing gas into the container, means for introducing water into the container, a motor for actuating said gas and water means, a controller for said motor comprising an attachment including a head, means for detachably connecting said head to said container, al cylinder connected to said head and suspended within said container, a piston reciprocally arranged in said cylinder, a switch actuating member connected with said piston and operating through said head, valve mechanism associated with the lower end of said cylinder, valve actuating means operatively connected with said valve mechanism, and a float operatively connected with said valve actuating mea-ns.

10. In a carbonating apparatus, in combination, a container, a gas pump, a water pump, a motor for operating said pumps, a switch for controlling the operation of said motor, a switch control lever including a detachable arm, a controller for said lever comprising an attachment including means for detachably connecting said attachment to said container, gas pressure actuated means connected with said attachment and suspended within said container, operating connections between said last mentioned means and said detachable arm of the switch control lever, means for controlling the admission of gas to and from said gas pressure actuated means, a float controlled by the rise and fall of water in said container, and operating connections between said i'loat and said last mentioned controlling means.

1l. In a carbonating apparatus, in combination with a vessel having a mixing chamber, gas and water pumps, motor and switch lever, of a controller attachment including a head, means for detachably connecting said head to` said vessel, a lever operating means movable in one direction by pressure of gas and in an opposite direction by gravity, means controlling the supply of gas to and from said lever operating means, a float, and means actuated by the rise and fall of said float for actuating said last mentioned controlling means.

yIn witness whereof, I have hereunto aiiixed my hand this 29 day of April, 1922.

JOSEPH A. BOPPRE. 

